History of Rainham Kent, Old Photos and Life in Bygone Times
Old Photos, Memories & Articles about Rainham Kent - Discover Rainham's History
Rainham is one of the Medway Towns in North Kent which also includes Gillingham, Chatham and Rochester. This site contains many Old Historical Photographs of Rainham Kent. More updates and requests for info can be found on the Rainham History Facebook page, click Like to get updates. Rainham has a number of distinct areas such as Parkwood, Wigmore, Rainham Mark, Twydall along with Hempstead, Meresborough and Lower Rainham. The aim of this site is to create an archive of historical information and photos about the history of Rainham in the county of Kent and the surrounding areas.
Barclays Bank in the 1940s
Chestnuts High Street Rainham Kent
Rainham High Street 1963 showing Coningsby House
This fascinating photo of Rainham High Street taken in 1963 was kindly provided by Joe Ennis and is one I've not seen before.
There are some notable landmarks visible in the photo. Firstly on the left hand side there is a large house at 69 High Street that was called Coningsby House and a forge that was demolished to make way for Rainham Shopping centre. The shops that are now Nutmegs and Greyfox Estate agents are visible on the left of the picture.
On the right hand side you can see the road sign for Orchard Street showing that the Natwest bank was not built at this time. Next to that is the Royal Cinema known as the Bug Hutch - read more here about the Bug Hutch Rainham - Royal Cinema
There is a lorry with the words Fremlins County Ale on the front passing by the cinema. You can see Estate agents sign in the distance which would be Harris & Bone
A slightly earlier photo of Rainham High Street looking in the opposite direction gives an idea of the area covered by the picture above. The house now demolished is surrounded by trees in front of it towards the top left of the image.